Nandan Nilekani hails Indian model of data use

Kochi: Nandan Nilekani, the architect of the Aadhar-based unique identification card, says India has developed a new paradigm by using data for empowering people. Addressing the World Congress of the International Advertising Association on Wednesday, he described four major models in the use of data and the unique contribution of India in this regard.

The US model has a market-driven system practised in handling data while Europe follows an approach with regulations focusing more on individual privacy rights.

The Chinese model is based on a state-driven system linking date with national security. The fourth model is India's which uses data by facilitating the people to access the services from the state in a transparent manner.  

According to Mr Nilekani, the Indian system is distinct from the US or European system as people in India became ‘data rich’ before becoming economically rich’.  In the US or Europe, people became economically prosperous before becoming data rich, and the solutions developed in those countries may not be the most suited for India having a different experience.

He also elaborated on how Aadhar helped the country to leapfrog with a robust system handling digital transactions of 1.2 billion people.

Mr Nilekani also expressed confidence in the safety and security of Aadhar data by insisting that it is leak proof.

Boston Consulting Group chairman Hans Paul Burkner stressed on the importance of balancing the imperatives of privacy and personalisation in a digital world driven by data.

He also emphasised the corporate world to remain committed to individual privacy while handling personalisation of data as the regulatory regime is getting stringent in every part of the world.”Great data comes with great responsibility,” he said.

On the immense business opportunities in personalisation, he said that already $ 30 billion had been invested in a cluster of businesses covering personal finance, art and culture, medical care and many others.

Penny Baldwin, senior vice-president of Qualcomm Technologies, spoke on the emergence of the mobile phone as the largest tech platform in the history.

The world is having 8 billion mobile connections with 60 per cent of data traffic accounted by videos. The video traffic is expected to reach 78 per cent by 2021, he said, adding that marketers and advertisers have a tremendous opportunity with technology opening up the possibility for reaching the remotest areas with data consumption.

The soon to be expected 5G roll-out will further increase the penetration of mobile with high-speed data transmission.